Counties in Michigan with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Michigan with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Hitting 116 degrees F in normally temperate Portland, Oregon. 105 degrees in Reno in September, just as summer is meant to be waning. And in California's Death Valley National Park, temperatures hit almost 130 degrees in the aptly named Furnace Creek, marking a world record for the hottest September day in history.
2021 and 2022 saw some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, as across the country extreme heat waves wreaked havoc on communities accustomed to more moderate weather. For many regions, the consequences were grave: in the 2021 Western heatwave, hundreds lost their lives, largely due to a lack of air conditioning, and wildfires ravaged the area.
Map of the past year's temperatures compared to the 100-year average
While not every county in the nation has experienced such extreme heat, climate change has dramatically changed the heat landscape in nearly every state. Coastal regions and the Southern U.S. are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures, and are also frequently targets of extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.
Just as all states are not impacted equally by rising temperatures, regions within states have also seen widely different temperature changes over the last decades. Factors such as proximity to urban areas, bodies of water, and mountains can dramatically change the climate of a region. Stacker cited data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Center for Environmental Information to identify the counties in Michigan with the greatest departure from average temperatures during the period December 2021 to November 2022 compared to the 1901-2000 average. Average temperature over the past year served as a tiebreaker. Additional data on recent average high and low temperatures for each county is also included.
#50. Clinton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
#49. Cheboygan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #26 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.1 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #26 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.1 F (1.7 F above century average)
#48. Missaukee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55 F (1.8 F above century average)
#47. Clare County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
#46. Isabella County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
#45. Ottawa County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.3 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.3 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
#44. Berrien County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
#43. Otsego County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
#42. Crawford County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
#41. Montmorency County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
#40. Presque Isle County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
#39. Wexford County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (1.8 F above century average)
#38. Hillsdale County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2.1 F above century average)
#37. Emmet County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53 F (1.7 F above century average)
#36. Charlevoix County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
#35. Gladwin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
#34. Midland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
#33. Ingham County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2 F above century average)
#32. Shiawassee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
#31. Jackson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
#30. Cass County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
#29. Oscoda County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
#28. Kalkaska County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
#27. Roscommon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
#26. Oceana County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
#25. Saginaw County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
#24. Antrim County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (2 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (2 F above century average)
#23. Ogemaw County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
#22. Bay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57 F (1.6 F above century average)
#21. Tuscola County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
#20. Alpena County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
#19. Alcona County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
#18. Arenac County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
#17. Iosco County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
#16. Sanilac County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
#15. Lapeer County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
#14. Livingston County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
#13. Muskegon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
#12. Genesee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
#11. Washtenaw County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
#10. Lenawee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (3 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (3 F above century average)
#9. Oakland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
#8. Wayne County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
#7. Benzie County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
#6. Grand Traverse County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
#5. St. Clair County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
#4. Macomb County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
#3. Leelanau County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54 F (2.6 F above century average)
#2. Huron County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
#1. Monroe County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.3 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.3 F (3.2 F above century average)
